Introduction

This evening, I am providing information information on the city of Stirling, Scotland from a visitor perspective.

Landscape view of Stirling

Information on Stirling and Environs

Stirling attracts high volumes of visitors each year, principally due to the appeal of its famous castle. However, castle apart, the city has much to offer the visitor as summarised in the information and images provided below. Stirling is well endowed with accommodation and could be used as a base for touring many historic and important sites in Scotland.

Entrance to Stirling Castle

• Population is about 93,000.
• Close to the River Forth.
• Etymology of name is unknown. However, Stirling was formerly a river name.
• Visitor attractions in and close to Stirling include:
  • Stirling Castle.
  • Stirling Distillery
  • Church of the Holy Rude (near castle).
  • Cowane’s Hospital (near castle).
  • Old Town Jail (near castle).
  • National Wallace Monument  (‘Braveheart’). This is situated about 3 miles NE of Stirling.
  • Bannockburn Battle Site. (Approximate location of famous battle.)
  • Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park.
  • Deanston Distillery.
  • Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum.
  • Shopping at the Thistles Shopping Centre.
  • Old Town with interesting architecture dating back to 16th century in some cases. 
  • Site of Battle of Stirling Bridge.

Images of Stirling

Stirling is well served by bus, rail and road connections. A new, direct London-Stirling service has been announced by train operator, Lumo.

View NE from castle. Bridge in bottom left is approximate site of Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297) whilst tower in centre-left is the National Wallace Monument which is dedicated to the victor of the 1297 battle. In the background can be seen the Ochil Hills.

Part of Old City Wall

B&B on Old City Wall

Lawn Bowling Club, Dumbarton Road.

Statue of Rob Roy Macgregor, Corn Exchange Road.

Albert Halls, Corn Exchange Road

16th century building, St, John Street.

Old Town Jail, St John Street.

Bagpipe Maker in Broad Street.

Ancient Mercat Cross in Broad Street.

‘Old’ Stirling Bridge

Visitor Sites within range of Stirling.

Site of Battle of Sheriffmuir, about 9 miles north.

Tullibardine Whisky Distillery, about 16 miles NE.

Village of Kenmore on Loch Tay, about 46 miles NE.

Ardoch Roman Fort, about 13 miles north.

Glasgow, about 35 miles SW.

Edinburgh, about 40 miles SE.

Deanston Distillery, about 8 miles NW.

Doune Castle, about 8 miles NW.

David Stirling Monument, about 6 miles NW.

Fort Augustus and Loch Ness, about 146 miles north.

Dunkeld, about 45 miles NE.

Blair Drummond Safari Park, about six miles NW.

Dupplin Cross, Dunning, about 27 miles NE

More information

The publication Visitors’ Guide to Scotland contains a wide range of information for the visitor. The ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also available via Kindle.